We as humans are capable of a lot of good and bad in the world, for ourselves and others. We possess qualities and habits that are beneficial not only for us, but for others too. However, among these habits are a few that are not good for our physical and mental well-being. These are habits that we might be practicing unconsciously. Such behaviors can slowly build up and cause hindrances in certain aspects of life. Examples of unhealthy habits include not having an irregular sleep schedule, drinking too much caffeine, smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy food, etc. These habits are detrimental to your health in the long run.
They say bad habits die hard, but we are here to remind you that nothing in life is set in stone. It is, in fact, possible to give up any habits that are detrimental to your mental and physical well-being.
If you can adopt a new one from people around you, you can overcome the bad ones, too. To assist you on your journey towards a better life, we bring forth ways you can get rid of your bad habits. Here are a few ways you could go about it.
Reach out to a professional
The word habit is not limited to all the mundane things we act upon. Some people have habits that have progressed to a higher degree and can become addictions instead. Codependence on harmful substances, for example, can have very severe effects on your health, including liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In such cases, it’s best to seek professional help to help you overcome a bad habit.
Reaching out to a professional for assistance in overcoming the habits that have turned into addictions is nothing to be ashamed of. Many websites, such as pbinstitute.com, provide information on services to help people navigate out of harmful compulsive behaviors. So seek help if you need it before it’s too late.
Figure out your triggers
Another way of keeping your bad habits at bay is to identify your triggers. Acknowledging that a certain situation, a particular thing, or a specific environment is your trigger is a step in the right direction. Making efforts to adjust your life and avoid anything that makes you want to indulge in a bad habit is a good decision.
For example, if you’re a smoker and want to quit, identify situations and people that make you want to light a cigarette. Practicing self-control in such a situation can be the push you need to overcome the habit. You can read more about how to identify your triggers effectively here.
Take baby steps patiently
They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit, but in all honesty, it is easier to pick up something from your surroundings or people than to give it up. Understanding why you indulge in a bad habit takes a lot of effort and time, so you must be patient when trying to get over it. Small steps will take time and be slow, but it bears great results.
So, breathe and take it one step at a time. Set achievable goals for yourself for the day. If you have a caffeine addiction, you could try to reduce your caffeine consumption in a day. Expecting yourself to quit it cold turkey would be too hard on yourself. It might also bring forth withdrawal symptoms that can be hard to manage.
Progress isn’t linear, and you are bound to fall back sometimes. All that matters is you get back on your feet and continue fighting. Slip-ups are inevitable. You have got to allow yourself to navigate your way through all of this patiently.
Understand why you want to quit
Figuring out why you are doing what you are doing is essential to staying on the path. It is useless to walk down this road without any reason. You do not want to continue your journey unless you see it bringing you a satisfying outcome.
For example, realizing that sleeping late is causing you to miss your bus in the morning will help you remember why you should head to bed early. Once you wake up early, you can catch your bus on time.
The more personal the reason, the better it is. You will have something to remind you to stay on track when you find your heart and mind are about to go astray. It will keep you rooted. Wanting to switch up a few habits so you can spend more time with your family is a personal reason, and it will motivate you to work on getting better.
Swap bad habits with better ones
Another effective way of avoiding certain harmful habits is swapping them with beneficial ones. Instead of completely switching your train of action, you can try to alter it at first. Swap eating a lot of candies out of stress over an incomplete assignment with eating fruits; fruits are a healthier alternative. Sweets are harmful, not just to your teeth, but they expose you to the risk of diabetes, too. Whereas an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Practicing the newer habit will take your mind off the urge to indulge in a damaging one. You can refer to this for more assistance regarding switching bad habits with better ones.
Celebrate any progress you make
Acknowledging any progress you make, no matter how minute, is essential to staying motivated toward overcoming bad habits. When you set goals for yourself for the day, make arrangements for some reward for yourself. You should be proud of yourself for making it through the day without giving in to your urges.
Conclusion
It is never easy to try and change something you are so accustomed to in life. However, at the same time, it is not entirely out of your reach either. You can do everything you set your mind to; your mind and body deserve good things in life, just as you do as a person. Trying to be better for yourself will always be a good thing to do. The tips mentioned in this article will help you eliminate your bad habits in whatever capacity you can manage. You got this!
